Kira Vinke works at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research as a research analyst to the director. From 2014-2016 she worked as an analyst to the director for the German Advisory Council on Global Change to the Federal Government (WBGU). Previously, Ms. Vinke was affiliated with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi in collaboration with the Environmental Policy Research Center (FFU) of Berlin. In New Delhi, she conducted field research on governance in the energy sector and cross-border river administration. In 2014 she worked as a consultant for the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) on the nexus between climate change and migration into vulnerable cities in Southern Bangladesh. 2016 and 2017 Ms. Vinke worked as an external consultant for the Asian Development Bank.

Ms. Vinke currently pursues a doctoral degree at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on the subject of climate change and migration, funded by the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes. She received her Master's degree in International Relations with highest distinctions from the Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Universität Potsdam. She completed her undergraduate studies at Hawai'i Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawai'i (summa cum laude) where she was a member of the International Vocal Ensemble. Also, Ms. Vinke studied partly in Tokyo/Japan and Madrid/Spain during her university-level course and interned at the German Embassy in Tokyo as well as the Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) in Washington D.C. Ms. Vinke is a member of The Explorers Club (Term 2016, Chapter Western Europe). She speaks English, German, Spanish and on a good day some Japanese and French.

Selected Publications

Vinke, K., Schellnhuber, H.J., Laplante, B., et al. (2017) A Region at Risk - The Human Dimensions of Climate Change in Asia and the Pacific. A Report by the Asian Development Bank and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.